Support for concealed dash lamps



C. H. CULVER SUPPORT FOR CONCEALED DASH LAMPS March 22 1927. 1,621,873

Filed April 17, 1926 AWEM 30 It is customary at Patented Mai. 22,1927.

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CARL H. CULVER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR F WORCESTER,

,rnorunme comrmw, SACHUS-ET'JDS:

.ezrsp S'I'J'ITOIIRHI. FOR GONGEALED DASH LAIIETS.

Application filed April 17, 1926. Serial No. 102,776.

This invention relates to a device for supporting a dash lamp for is mounted in a position in which the lamp itself is invisible from the front of the dash.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a device for supporting the lamp .in' such a way that the lamp can be withdrawn from the outer side of the dash with out disconnecting the lamp so that a new lamp can be put on and other repairs made without access to the lamp in front of the dash; to provide this support in a simple and inexpensive form and arrange it with means for holding the lamp socket in position and yet capable of yielding to allow it'to be withdrawn or inserted by motion in a straight line.

Other objects and advantages of the invention wi l appear hereinafter.

Referenceis to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a cross section of a concealed lamp and a part of the dash with a preferred form of this invention :'in position for holding Fig. 2 is a full sized end view of the holdin device; and ig. 3 is a sectional view of the same on the line 3-3- of Fig. 2.

' the lamp;

the present time to have the dash lamp concealed by mounting it in a box or casing 10, behind the dash 11 and in such a position that an opaque part of the dash is directly in front of the lamp. A metal reflector 13 is used to disperse the light through a glass 14, which is permanently fixed on the clash so thatit cannot be removed when the lamp has to be replaced.

I have shown the invention as employed in connection with such features and also with a clock, gauge, or other instrument 15, also in the casing 10.

For the purpose of holding the socket 18 for the lamp 12. I make a very inexpensive sheet metal holder comprising a horizontal flange 16 and three spring arms 17, all formed of a single piece of sheet metal. The flange projects at two ends and is welded to the metal box, or casing 10, by the spot welding process or any other way. The lamp holder is provided with a passage all the way through for theinsertion oi the lamp an automobile which and its socket. The holder has a circular rib 19 around it at a certain point. The spring arms 17 are provided with ofi'set portions which have on the back, indentations orgrooves 20 located in the right position to register with and receive the rib 19 so that they constitute a spring holder for the socket 18. The arms are-slanted off at the ends to permit the socket to be inserted. 'Ihave shown the electrical cable 21 for feeding the" lamp.

In the use of the device, the lamp 12 is put in its socket 18 outside and ,then it is moved in from the back along the axis of the hole in the flange 16 until the rib 19 enters the grooves 20. This method of insertion offers little resistance and when the grooves 20 receive the. rib on the lamp socket the lamp will be held in position so that it will not become dislodged. These spring arms hold it with a yielding pressure and absorb some of the shocks to which the lamp ordinarilyis submitted.

When it is desired to remove the lamp "from the socketthey are pulled out-by a straight backward motion as will be obvious.

I am aware of the fact-that'the inventionis not limited to dash or automobile lamps. Although I have shown only a particular form of the invention and shown it applied to a particular lamp socket I am aware of the fact that modificationscan be made therein by any person skilled in'the art with out departing from the scope of the inven' tion as expressed in the claim. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited in these respects, but what I claim is: I

. The combination with an automobile dash, a casing set therein, a lamp in the casing, 21

reflector curved around the lamp for concealing it and directing its tion, and a transparent the reflector permanently mounted on the dash, of means at the back of the casing behind the reflector for holding a lamp in. a position to be concealed by the reflector. and arranged to receive the lamp and its socket fromthe rear.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

CARL H. CULVER.

rays in one direccover at one side oi 

